§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the privatisation of the National Bus Company.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe privatisation of the National Bus Company's bus operations was completed on 22 April when London Country (North East) was sold. These sales, over half of which were management or employee buyouts, were completed almost nine months before the statutory deadline, which is a tribute to the board of NBC and a clear indication of the industry's appreciation of the opportunities afforded by deregulation.